REACHing MAGIS

REACH: Recruiting Excellence in Academics for Catholic High Schools and More

Magis is a Latin term that means more. The term is a favorite of Jesuits, who feel that we are all constantly called to do Magis, or more. The REACHing MAGIS Program is our effort to do more to prepare students who have been traditionally underrepresented at Saint Ignatius High School for the academic, social and spiritual challenges they may encounter as students in a college preparatory high school setting.

Founded in 2002, REACHing MAGIS is an educational and leadership enrichment program that prepares middle-school aged boys for success at Saint Ignatius and other top college preparatory schools in Cleveland. With an understanding of how critical the middle-school age years are in determining the trajectory of secondary as well as post-secondary education, REACHing MAGIS is devoted to developing young men to achieve academic excellence, be open to growth, to be religious and committed to a life of service and justice.

REACHing MAGIS students are preferably admitted to the program during their 5th grade year, though we accept referrals for students in all grades. All accepted students must possess a standardized test score (Iowa, CAT, Stanford) above 50%, and maintain good academic and conduct records.

How the Program Works

Each year, REACHing MAGIS works in partnership with parochial, traditional public schools and public charter schools. REACHing MAGIS accepts referrals of rising 5th - 8th grade boys who display early signs of academic and leadership potential. REACHing MAGIS' value-added model is set to cultivate the scholar's potential demonstrated in the elementary school years.

It is important to note that REACHing MAGIS is not a school; rather, it is a supplementary program designed to work around the student's school schedule. Our programming takes place on Saturday mornings throughout the school year and Monday through Friday during the summer. During the summer, rising 6th grade REACHing MAGIS students are invited to attend the Arrupe Summer Program and rising 7th and 8th grade students participate in the Summer Enrichment Program.

Program Attributes

Schools Represented

Student Demographics

Academic Development

Saturday Academic Program

Every student begins his REACHing MAGIS experience with the Saturday Academic Program, which starts in the fall and concludes in the winter. Accelerated and remedial classes are offered and designed to improve each student's skills in Language Arts and Mathematics. The program also incorporates Robotics (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Graphic Arts, Web Design, Entrepreneurship with "Pitch" experience, and Test Preparation for any standard test.

The focus is on the core academic principles of: grammar, spelling, vocabulary, creative writing, reading comprehension, basic math skills, decimals, fractions, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, study skills, time management, test-taking strategies, graphic design, basic computing, art education, communication skills and business fundamentals. Classes during the Saturday Academic Program are held from 8:30 a.m. until 12:20 p.m.

Summer Achievement Program

The Summer Achievement Program is an important component of this year-long program. Each rising 7th and 8th grader from the Saturday Academic Program is eligible, as long as he has successfully earned his credits by exemplifying 80% attendance, good grades and conduct within the program and school community.

Hosted in conjunction with the Arrupe Summer Program and Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), the Summer Achievement Program focuses on academic acceleration, communication and problem solving through a wide variety of athletic and social activities. Following the conclusion of SEP's daily activities, the 7th and 8th grade REACHing MAGIS students participate in team-building activities through local community partners.

Scholarship Opportunities

Le'Charles Bentley 5th Grade Leadership

The Le'Charles Bentley '98 5th Grade Leadership Academy supports 35 future leaders from the Greater Cleveland area who attend various Catholic, private and public grade schools. The Academy focuses on language arts, mathematics, visual art, test preparation, entrepreneurship and leadership development. The goal is to provide each young scholar with intensive academic Saturdays from October through February with emphasis on core values. Each student who successfully completes the program will move on to the sixth through eighth grade components of REACHing MAGIS. Ultimately, students who successfully complete both components will matriculate to Saint Ignatius High School or another high school of their choice.

Verneda Bentley Endowed Scholarship

The Verneda Bentley Endowed Scholarship Program was established by Le'Charles V. Bentley '98 in December 2006 to honor his mother, Verneda Bentley, for her encouragement of and commitment to his high school education. The endowment was created to provide substantial scholarships for select REACHing MAGIS graduates enrolling at Saint Ignatius High School. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students of exceptional promise to pursue academic and social opportunities available to them throughout high school. The Verneda Bentley Endowed Scholarship program is unique to the REACHing MAGIS program and Saint Ignatius High School and therefore cannot be transferred to any other high school.

Preferential consideration for this scholarship shall be given to an African American or Hispanic American (Latino) student who resides in the City of Cleveland. Each candidate must successfully complete the REACHing MAGIS program with full participation, attendance, exceptional progress reports, grades, and leadership qualities and demonstrate financial need.

This scholarship is renewable each year as long as the selected student maintains a 2.5 GPA or higher and remains at Saint Ignatius High School.

Apply Now!

Each year, REACHing MAGIS works in partnership with students from local grade schools to prepare them for their academic futures. REACHing MAGIS accepts applications of students who display early signs of academic and leadership potential. REACHing MAGIS students are preferrably admitted to the program during their 5th grade year, though we accept referrals for students in all grades. All accepted students must possess a standardized test score (Iowa, CAT, Stanford) above 50%, and maintain good academic and conduct records.

Application Forms

Student/Parental Application Form
Teacher Recommendation Form - Please submit recommendations from two (2) teachers

In This Section